Book Review.

This is the third yet distinctive edition of Thermodynamics of Natural Systems written by Greg Anderson. The goal of this edition was to make it shorter and more concise to be suitable as an introduction to thermodynamics book. The first edition was written because his other book, Thermodynamics in Geochemistry (Anderson and Crerar, 1993), was not practical for teaching. The second edition was more suitable for graduate students but still was seen more as a reference book. I have personally used the second edition as a reference for many years, but also used some of the sections included in different chapters for teaching my junior level undergraduate thermodynamics classes. This third edition is definitely an improvement for students in an introductory thermodynamics class, where less information at the beginning avoids confusion commonly encountered in this discipline. This book covers the fundamental equations in thermodynamics, including the three laws of thermodynamics, how to measure thermodynamic properties of minerals, water-gas-mineral equilibria, equilibrium constants and activities. The approach is a little bit different from many other textbooks on thermodynamics, which commonly introduce the subject by starting with heat, work, and entropy using classical thermodynamic developments from concepts used in mechanical engineering such as the Otto/Carnot cycles and efficiency of steam engines. Greg Anderson explains his rationale: “The connection between thermodynamics and reality is made, not by explaining entropy with statistical mechanics, but by using thermodynamics to elucidate the countless number of practical real-world problems in all aspects of Earth sciences...”. Although shifting the introduction away from these examples makes sense for students focusing on applying this knowledge in geosciences, students who need a degree in geological engineering might need to seek additional references. I really enjoyed how Greg Anderson introduced some basic thermodynamics concepts including equilibrium, metastability, entropy, and spontaneity of reactions, with examples such as graphite/ diamond stability, the cooling of a coffee cup, or the melting of an ice cube out of the freezer. The book also features exercises and solutions at the end of each chapter, which will be very valuable for undergraduate students who wish to solve additional problems. Some of the solutions can only be accessed online by teachers, which will also permit to use some of the exercises in classes and/or exams. Certain concepts are explained in more detail in very useful boxes that contain definitions, calculations, chemical reactions, and real examples that one may encounter. Hence this new edition is an ideal textbook for teaching undergraduate classes that cover thermodynamics applied to geosciences. I also particularly appreciated some of the reorganization in the new version, which makes more sense to me in comparison to the second edition. This includes for example starting with equilibrium constants in chapter 9, followed by rock-water systems in chapter 10 and finally redox reactions in chapter 11. For researchers and graduate students looking into a reference book, I would say that the second edition in their library does not need to be replaced, since both editions cover very similar topics and examples. More in-depth chapters from the second edition not printed in this third edition can be downloaded online. Nevertheless, if someone is looking for a more portable version of this book, the new edition is definitely more travel friendly and the cover picture more inviting, which will also help motivate students to learn from this book. Overall, I recommend this book for anyone interested in thermodynamics applied to geosciences and as teaching textbook. The author gives instructors other options to include particular and more advanced topics from the second edition on the Cambridge University Press website. These include more in depth topics such as equations of state and the theory behind real solutions.

by those who are called upon to deal with abnormalities of the nasal septum. Electrolysis in the authors' hands has been of much value in such cases, and is free from the drawbacks incidental to some other methods. Differentiation in Rheumatic Disease (so-called). By Hugh Lane, L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S. Second Edition. Pp. ix., 121. London: J. & A. Churchill. 1892.?A second edition of this book has been quickly demanded. The author has attempted to give, what has long been needed, a series of clearly defined differentiations between the various affections commonly and loosely described as rheumatic gout. He believes that chronic rheumatoid arthritis has no connection whatever with acute rheumatism, but that its constitutional cause is a combination of the hereditary taints of gout and phthisis. Rheumatic arthritis is, on the other hand, caused by debility, the debilitating cause being unquestionably Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and New Guinea, with their addresses, qualifications, past and present appointments, together Wl*h an obituary of doctors dead since the publication of the second edition in July, 1886. The book also gives an _ alphabetical list of post towns, with the geographical peculiarities ot ?jch, and the names of practitioners residing in them. I he Medical Acts of Australasia are well summarised, and a list ot the constitution and work of the numerous medical and allied societies is added. The scale of medical and surgical fees is worthy of study, as these are distinctly in advance of those usually charged in this country. Jts articles up to the present are written by authorities on the subjects upon which they dilate, and the subjects chosen have been of broad and general interest. The busy practitioner may expect in each issue of this new weekly to find practical help, as well as scientific information.
Index-Catalogut of the Library of the Surgeon-General's Office, United States Army. Vol. XIII., Sialagogues?Sutugin. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1892.?We cordially welcome another instalment of this magnificent undertaking, the full value of which is appreciated by those workers in matters medical who are familiar with it. We have recently, with a considerable amount of dismay, noticed statements appearing in our American contemporaries to the effect that the official grants in aid of this work are to be curtailed or withdrawn.
Anything which would cripple the resources of those engaged in it would be a world-wide calamity. As we write, the reassuring statement is made that the national subsidy is to be continued.
The Year-Book of Treatment for 1893. Pp. 496. London: Cassell and Company, Limited.?The comparatively early appearance of this well-known annual will be welcomed by all practitioners, and more especially by those who, being desirous of keeping themselves an courant with new methods of treatment in every department of medicine and surgery, are compelled by the exigencies of busy practice to avail themselves of such works as the one before us. In the present edition the Year-Booh reaches its ninth year, and in its general arrangement it differs but little from issues of previous years. Two new articles are added, however: one on " Anaesthetics" by Dr. Dudley Buxton; and there is also a separate article by Prof. W. H. Corfield, M.D., on " Public Health and Hygiene." The other sections are entrusted to the same authors as in the last edition; amongst whom we are glad to find again the names of Dr. E. Markham Skerritt, who writes on diseases of the lungs and respiration, and Dr. Barclay Baron, who is responsible for the summary of new treatment in diseases of the throat and nose.
The introduction of woodcuts, chiefly in the surgical sections, adds to the interest and clearness of the text in many places.
The Medical Annual. Pp. 767. Bristol: John Wright & Co. 1:893.?This volume is a worthy successor of those that have preceded it. The amount of information that is compressed into it is really astonishing, and it must be of great service to the busy practitioner. The way in which the book is turned out of hand, as regards paper, type, and illustrations, reflects great credit on the local firm which publishes it. As in the Year-Book, doctors connected with Bristol are well represented. Dr. Shingleton Smith treats of pulmonary diseases, and Dr. Watson Williams of diseases of the throat. The subject of general medicine is entrusted to Dr. F. J. Wethered, an old Bristol student. We recommend the volume to those who, from lack of time or opportunity, are unable to read the numerous journals are under contribution in collecting the fund of formation contained in it. p Journal of Pathology and Bacteriology. Vol. I., No. 3. the Edinburgh: Young J. Pentland.?In this, that. ?lrc^ number of the new journal, are so many good articles m 1^Seems invidious to pick out any for special mention; we int^' Wever> perhaps refer to one or two of more particular a erest. Dr. Sherrington, the well-known physiologist, recently Coh?1v?t^.Brown Professor,shows  ?^ca^ Jonvnal appears by itself under " Gynaecology," Rev t? n? P*ace under "Medical;" while the Ophthalmic bv as not only a place under that heading, but is also given j00k under " Ophthalmy " (sic). It is a positive pleasure to Whi 1 -rough this book, not only on account of the information Whi?v! ,c?nveys, but also because of the admirable way in cn it is printed and arranged.